Chaos' Heir-Chapter 1182: Kros
Of all the news that could disrupt Khan’s newfound peace and sense of fulfillment, that was the worst. He could face gargantuan monsters and obliterate planets without breaking a sweat, but his mind went blank as soon as his brain acknowledged Garret’s words.
Khan felt the universe was mocking him. He had found the Nak, all his projects were advancing steadily, and even Raymond was behaving, for now. Everything was going well for Khan, but the world appeared unable to let it stand.
The news was obviously good. Problems aside, the Niqols were another potential ally that could significantly help in the fight against the scarlet eyes. Khan believed they wouldn’t hesitate to join him, but he diverted his gaze anyway, staring at the tall waves under him while memories and troubling thoughts filled his vision.
There had been a time when Khan would have killed to hear similar words. He had spent years wanting nothing more than to return to that dark, cold planet, hoping to reunite with the woman who had taught him how to love, with the alien that had shaped most of his power and life.
Nevertheless, almost ten years had passed since Nitis, and each had been full of all kinds of events. Khan had also changed greatly, becoming unrecognizable from the cursed but playful boy Liiza had known.
For all intents and purposes, Khan had become a true monster with actions to back up that title. He had lost count of how many people he had killed long ago, and his powers had started to border on the divine. Also, Khan had done something even more irreconcilable.
As much as Khan had promised Liiza that he would mature and experience life without her limiting it, he still felt he had betrayed her, especially since he had succeeded. Khan could sort of accept the events with Delia and Cora, but Monica had been different. He had truly loved her, and part of him still did. Part of him would always do.
So, Khan didn’t know how to face Liiza, or the Niqols, for that matter. He couldn’t even imagine what to expect or how he would react, and the problems didn’t end there.
Garret wore his usual stern expression when the blue light returned on him, but a trace of concern inevitably tainted it. He didn’t tell the whole story to Khan, and the latter knew that. Garret couldn’t hide anything from Khan. He could only hope Khan would spare him from additional questions.
"It’s good to have an evolved warrior on Baoway," Khan eventually exclaimed. "I should congratulate Mark personally."
"Colonel Norrett is currently indisposed, My Prince," Garret revealed. "Prince Thomas said he secluded himself to get used to his new state."
"That’s wise," Khan said before nodding at the disk’s opposite edge. "You should probably crouch down and hold strong now."
Garret’s eyes widened in surprise, but he immediately complied. He got on his knees, and the world in his vision changed as soon as his hands touched the device’s edge. A sense of vertigo and dizziness rose toward his mind, but the relative stability of the sea station saved him from the worst outbursts.
Khan placed the device down and Garret with it before crossing the sea station’s surface. The equipment around the area started to flicker and release troubling noises, but most soldiers abandoned their posts to welcome Khan. Yet, all of them soon halted their steps.
The calm that had pervaded Khan’s aura in the past weeks had disappeared, replaced by an invisible barrier that kept everyone away. No soldier could get close to him. The workers could only watch as he reached one elevator and disappeared inside the sea station.
Khan honestly didn’t know what to think. He mostly didn’t, blankly staring at the metal surfaces he crossed while returning to his quarters. One interactive desk was ready to receive him, and Khan only had to press one label to start the call.
"Uncle," Khan called when the interactive desk confirmed that the channel was online.
"Nephew, My Prince," Prince Thomas’ voice resounded from the desk’s speakers. "I hope you are well."
"Update me," Khan ordered, skipping the pleasantries. He didn’t want to be cold toward his Uncle, but his mood wasn’t ideal for those political obligations.
"Colonel Norrett finally succeeded in the evolution," Prince Thomas explained. "I witnessed the event myself and confirmed it with the scientists. He is-."
"Uncle," Khan interrupted. "Tell me about Nitis."
Prince Thomas couldn’t help but fall silent. He had met his Nephew years after Nitis happened, but everyone knew how important that mission had been to him.
"Nitis contacted the Global Army," Prince Thomas revealed. "The Ambassadors announced the planet would reopen soon."
"What else did they say?" Khan asked, knowing the topic had more details. Nitis’ reopening was a big deal in general, so the Niqols couldn’t have taken it lightly.
"The Niqols contacted the Global Army to invite you to the ceremony," Prince Thomas added, choosing his following words carefully. "They will seal an alliance with the Kros to have a stable standing in the universe before reopening Nitis to alien visitors."
Khan had only heard about the Kros when browsing the known intelligent species in the universe, but they weren’t the point now. He had ears solely for the detail that Prince Thomas had decided not to mention.
"How will the Niqols and Kros seal this alliance?" Khan questioned.
"An arranged marriage, My Prince," Prince Thomas replied.
Khan couldn’t help but close his eyes. His subconscious answered his question before his mind could even ask it. Somehow, he knew who would get married. Outside of Nitis, Khan was the only person who could instantly guess that.
"Who is the bride?" Khan asked, his eyes still closed. He knew what he was about to hear. All things considered, that was the most obvious and reasonable answer, but Khan still needed Prince Thomas to say it.
"Miss Liiza is the bride, My Prince," Prince Thomas said, confirming what Khan had already understood.
